Flames blaze for training

Flames raged just north of Mantorville Saturday as a house burned to the ground. As bad as that sounds, the blaze caused no harm and actually may have saved lives. 
A live burn training with the assistance of Riverland Fire School involving Fire Departments from Mantorville, Kasson, Dodge Center, and West Concord gave local fire fighters the opportunity to improve skills needed to knock down a blaze.
“The live burn training is great experience because it enables us to learn how fire spreads and how it reacts to fire suppression tactics,” said Russell Lucas of the Mantorville Fire Department. “By working with Riverland and other departments we are able to share different ideas and techniques to use on the fire ground.”
The departments that were involved are part of a mutual aid group. This means that they help one other when assistance is needed for fires or other emergencies.
Training has been going on over the last month. Area fire departments have worked together to improve tactics when facing emergencies. 
“All of the firefighters involved are members of volunteer fire departments,” Lucas said. “They give up a great deal of time for training in order to become a firefighter.”
“Additional training is required on a regular basis to maintain their skill-set and stay in compliance with state regulations.”
Many of the local firefighters also give medical assistance as First Responders or members of the local ambulance. Typically, the local departments will only get a house donated to train in every few years.
Without the assistance of local community members, such training would be impossible. Only when donations are made can such training like